Automatic display apparatus



Feb. 6, 1934.

S. SAMARAS El AL AUTOMATIC DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed Aug. 10, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l Z 7 7 .7 6 3 W 7 6 M W 6 6 Z 6 A y 6 2 y 8 W 9 2 r 2 h I! a l! 1 4 6 V r m 3 .2 6 6// u 2 5 1 z Q P Y w m En R V 0 N T 8 1 W T Z A 7 7 S v. B H" A w 9 A 6 4 7 9 2 F eb.

S.- SAMARAS ET AL AUTOMATIC DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed Aug. 10 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 7 5 jam A ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 6, 1934 AUTOMATIC DESPLAY APPARATUS Stephen Samaras and Louis Ravizza, Oakland, Calif., assignors to Ross W. Dalziel, Oakland,

Calif.

Application August 10, 1932. Serial No. 628,148

11 Claims.

The invention relates to automatically operating display machines in which a number of pietures, advertisements, etc., are arranged on a curtain or screen which winds on and off a set of b reels, the movement of the screen being periodically interrupted so that each picture or advertisement may be successively moved into registration with a display opening and kept on display for a desired interval.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described in which the mechanism will be positive in its operation and capable of functioning uninterruptedly and with out of attention for a period of practically unlimited duration.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating mechanism for an apparatus of the character described, which is quite simple in con-- struction and affords by reason of the minimum G inclusion of loose members and devices involving abrupt contact of moving and stationary parts, a most smooth and practically noiseless operation. H A further object of the invention is to provide 0 an apparatus of the character described in which the operating mechanism is so designed that while practically none of the parts thereof is arranged in the space containing the curtain and reels, the entire mechanism including the driving and driven connections for the reels may be located exclusively at but one end of the machine without effecting a material increase in the length of the machine or requiring the curtain and display opening to be out of center with respect to the machine structure as a Whole. 7

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a display machine of the type wherein disconnection of the driving means for interrupting the movement of the curtain is effected by means effect the re-connection of said driving means entirely independent of the curtain or said disconnecting means incorporated therewith.

Yet another object of the invention is to so arrange the curtain and reels and operate them in such manner that perfect rigidity of the curtain will be assured throughout the entire operation of the machine.

Yet a further object is to provide a means of reversing the direction of movement of the curtain, which will function with maximum effectiveness regardless of any shrinkage or stretch in the curtain.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foreincorporated with the curtain, means which will (Cl. 403i) going, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention whichis illustrated in the drawings accompanying and-- forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings: 1

Figure 1 is an end View, partly in section, of the apparatus without the cabinet. 7

Figure 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View of the apparatus taken on the line 22 of: Figure l. 1

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the ma-. chine, partly in elevation, taken on the line 33 of Figure 1. v

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view of, the apparatus including the cabinet therefor, the scale of the figure being smaller than the preced- 76 ing figures referredto.

Figure 5 is a vertical detail sectional view of the means for effecting connection of the drive, and driven members of the apparatus.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the parts shown 80 in Figure 5, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 6-6 in the latter figure.

Figure '7 is a perspective view of the means for reversing the direction of movement of the cur-- tain, taken from the inner. side of one of the 851 frame end plates.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the apparatus comprises a frame.

2 set in a cabinet 3 having at the front thereof;

a display opening 4. The frame includes a pair; of spaced end plates 6 and 7 between which are, disposed reels 8 and 9 on which is arranged to. be wound the screen or curtain 12, containing the matter to be displayed in opening 4.. The reels 8 and 9 through means of shaftslB and 14 are mounted, as are idler rollers 16 and 17, in the end plates, and the curtain 12, whose width preferably extends for the full space between the: plates, is secured at its opposite endsto the reels: and passes over the rollers 16 and llat the front of the machine so that the portion of the curtain; traversing or positioned at the display opening will be in juxtaposition therewith. Each reel isarranged to rotate in an opposite direction to the other, and the curtain; as will be clear from the dotted lines in Figure 1, extends under lower reel 9 and idler 1'7 but over idler 16 and under reel 8. A shoe 18 resiliently pressing against the reels and-engaged in a peripheral groove 19 thereof serves to prevent any loose motion of the reels.

1 clear the pins.

As will be understood, in the type of display machine to which the present is related, the curtain is arranged to be wound from on one of the reels upon the other and when such winding is completed the rotation of the reels is reversed so that the curtain will rewind on the original roller, such unwinding and rewinding continuing throughout the operation of the machine. In the present embodiment, when the curtain is being moved in one direction, the reel upon which the curtain is being wound acts as a driver while the other reel acts as a follower, and conversely when the curtain is moved in a reverse direction, the second reel serves as the driver while the first merely follows. In view of the foregoing, practically independent driven connections are used for the respective reels, although a common drive is utilized. As will be clear from Figures 1 and 2 there are associated with the reels 8 and 9, shafts 21 and 22 respectively, which are axially aligned and mounted in suitable bearing members 23 and 24 carried on a spider 26 solidly secured to the end plate 6. The shafts 21 and 22 are here shown vertically disposed in accordance with the positioning of the reels, and connected to the reel shafts through means of individual sets of bevel gears 27.

Preferably carried by the spider 26 and mounted in bearing member 24 and a bearing 28, is a drive shaft 29 whose axis intersects at right angles the axes of the driven shafts 21 and 22. The axes of the three shafts define, as will be evident from the drawings, a plane which is parallel and in almost abutting relation to the plate 6. The shaft 29 in the present embodiment of the invention is arranged to be continuously driven throughout the operation of the machine, and as here shown is driven by means of an electric motor 31 supported on the end plate and positioned on the inner side thereof.

Driving connection between the drive shaft 29 and the driven shafts 21 and 22 is afforded through means of a clutch 32 connected with drive shaft, and clutches 33 and 34 associated with shaft 21 and 22 respectively. The clutches are preferably of like construction, each includ-.

ing a fixed and a relatively loose element, and as will be clear from Figure 1, the fixed elements 36, 37 and 38 of the respective clutches 32, 33 and 34 are fixed to the shafts 29, 21, and 22, re spectively, while the loose elements 41, 42 and 43 of the clutches in the order first named are loosely mounted on the respective shafts 29, 21 and 22, and permanently connected together for simultaneous movement by means of bevel gears 45, 46 and 47 fixed to the loose elements in the order mentioned.

Engagement of the associated elements of each clutch is afforded by means of a lever 48 fulcrumed on the fixed element and arranged under the action of a spring 49 to assume an extended position and thereby engage any one of a plurality of pins 51 on the loose element to thus cause rotation of the latter with the fixed element, disengagement of the elements, that is to permit the loose elements to remain stationary, being afforded when the lever is retracted against the action of the spring so that the lever will Since, as before mentioned, the reels are designed to rotate in reverse directions and but one of them driving at a time, means are provided for causing but one of the levers of the driven shaft clutch to be disposed for engage-- ment with the associated loose element at one time and to reverse the positions of the levers of the driven shaft clutchesthat is to cause one lever to be moved from engaging to disengaging position and the other lever from disengaging to engaging position-when the curtain shall have completed the movement in one direction. As here shown, such means is in the form of a reciprocatory member 52 slidably mounted on the spider or plate 6 and having extensions 53 and 54 designed to engage the levers of the driven shaft clutches. The extensions are so disposed that when the member 52 is in an elevated position only the lever of the lower clutch will be engaged and held from contact with the pins, whereas when the member 52 is in a depressed position only the lever of the upper clutch will be held inoperative. Reciprocation of the member 52 is arranged to be effected by a lever 56 connected to the member and designed to be rocked on its fulcrum by means of projections 5'7 or other devices carried on and movable with the curtain. One projection 57 is provided adjacent each end of the curtain so that when the movement of the curtain in one direction is being completed the projection will engage and move the lever and cause the desired reversal in the drive of the driven shafts. Yielding retention of the lever in each of its positions is afforded by means of a spring 58.

Means are provided which are extremely smooth and positive in operation, for intermittently causing the disengagement of the drive shaft-clutch elements when a section on the curtain desired for display passes into full registration in the display opening, and for causing the re-engagement of said clutch element after said curtain section has been exposed in the display opening for a certain interval. embodiment of the invention the part of the device designed to effect the disengagement aforesaid is operated or controlled by means directly associated with the curtain, whereas the part of the device designed to effect re-engagement of the clutch is operated by the driving mechanism independent of the curtain or said means associated therewith. Mounted on the plate 6 for for-.

ward and rearward movement at right angles to the plane of the portion of the curtain disposed in the display, is a slidable unit 61 having two sections 62 and 63 capable of movement relative to one another. The sections 62 and 63 are carried in a cradle 64 which is conveniently supported on the drive shaft 29 for slidable move-v ment axially thereon. The section 62 which lies adjacent the drive shaft clutch is formed with an arm 66 which on the extension or retraction of the section respectively engages or releases the lever on the fixed clutch element so as to thereby effect the engagement or disengagement of the clutch elements and consequently the movement or the inaction of the curtain reel. The section 63 lies adjacent the curtain portion in the display opening and is formed with an arm 6'7 which extends through the plate 6 and has provided thereon a roller 68 arranged to lie at the inner side of the curtain. By means of a spring 69 on the drive shaft, the cradle is resiliently pressed in the disposed. the section 62 will, upon the movement of section $3 away from the curtain portion in the opening, be caused to move against the clutch lever and thereby release the clutch. Actuation of the section 63 to effect the movement aforesaid is afforded by means of button-like projections 71 fixed to the curtain and extending from the inner side thereof so as to be capable of striking the roller 68 when moving thereby. The projections '71 are so positioned on the curtain that contact with the roller and consequent movement of the slide unit to eifect disengagement of the drive clutch, will take place just as the desired portion of the curtain comes into full registration in the display opening.

Preferably the roller 68 is mounted for limited vertical displacement such as in a slot 78 so that the slide will actuated at the same time regardless of the direction of movement of the curtain. A fixed backing plate '72 is secured to the end plate 6 and positioned opposite the roller at the outer side of the curtain so as to insure proper engagement of the projections and roller.

"It will be evident that just as soon as the slide unit is extended by contact with the roller, the curtain will immediately stop and the projection 71 will remain engaged with the roller and keep the slide unit extended. It will therefore be seen that after the curtain has been exposed for a desired interval, it'beccmes necessary to effect the release of the drive clutch lever while the projection bars the return of section 63. It is at this time that relative movement of section 62 is arranged for, and such movement is as previously noted, designed to be effected independent of the curtain. In the present embodiment such movement is effected by means operated by the drive shaft and includes a cam '73 carried on the cradle for rotation and arranged to be continuaously driven at a relatively slow speed through means of a chain of gears 74. The cam 73 is engaged with the section 62 and 63 through means of rods '76 and 7'? respectively which are fixed to the sections, the rod 76 being kept more or less in engagement with the cam by the spring associated with the clutch lever, while the spring 69 retains the rod 77 in engagement. The cam, as clearly shown Figure is formed with one or more depressed portions '78 so that when the rod 76 engages therein, the section 62 is free to move to a retracted position to thus permit operation of the drive clutch. With the clutch then operated, the curtain will again be placed in motion whereby the projection '71 trapped behind the roller will move by the roller so that the section 63 may return to its position with the roller engaging the curtain surface and awaiting contact by the next projection. After the depression '78 leaves the rod, the elevated portions of the cam hold the rods extended so that upon the succeeding throw of section 63 by a projection the slide unit will effect a release of the clutch lever. It may be noted that the slight periodical horizontal displacement of the gears fixedly mounted relative to the cradle and those fixedly mounted relative to the drive shaft is readily permitted without disengagement of the gears.

It is important to note that while practically the entire operating mechanism is positioned exteriorly of the end plates 6 and 7, and concentrated practically entirely on plate 6, the design of the operating mechanism is such that very little is added to the length or width of the machine by the inclusion of such mechanism. For this reason, a compactly fitting cabinet may be disposed over the entire apparatus and. the display opening will still be centrally disposed. In this manner not only is economy of space afforded, but the appearance of the machine for display purposes will be at its best.

We claim:

1. In an automatic display apparatus, a pair of reels, a screen arranged to be wound from on one of said reels to the other, a continuously driven drive shaft, and means to effect an intermittent rotation of one of the reels comprising a driving connection between said shaft and a reel, a reciprocative slide operative in one position to render operable and in another to render inoperable said connection, and means on the screen to move said slide periodically from one of said positions to the other.

2. In an automatic display apparatus, a pair .of reels, a screen arranged to be wound from on one of said reels to the other, a continuously driven drive shaft, and means to efiect an intermittent rotation of one of said reels comprising a driving connection between the shaft and a reel normally inactive, cooperating clutch members on said connection and shaft, a reciprocative slide operative in one position to connect and in another to disconnect said clutch members, and means on the screen to move said slide periodically from said first to said second position.

3. In an automatic display apparatus, a pair of reels, a screen arranged to be wound from on one of said reels to the other, a continuously driven drive shaft, reversible driving connecting means including a clutc between each reel and said shaft, means actuated by the screen to render different clutches alternately operative, a clutch interposed between said connecting means and the shaft, a sliding member mounted for longitudinal displacement and movable to render said last mentioned clutch operative or inoperative, and means on-said screen engageable with and operable to slide said member.

4. In an automatic display apparatus, a pair of reels, a screen arranged to be wound from on one of said reels to the other, a continuously driven shaft, a driven shaft and a clutch interposed between each reel and the drive shaft, means connecting corresponding elements of the clutches to effect simultaneous rotation, a clutch on the drive shaft having one element operatively connected with said connecting means, and means operated by the screen for controlling said last mentioned clutch comprising an of reels, a screen arranged to be wound from on one of said reels to the other, a continuously driven drive shaft, a clutch having one element fixed to rotate with said shaft, driven connections for said reels and fixed to the other element of said clutch, a member slidably mounted one reel to the other, a continuously driven drive shaft, a clutch having one element associated with said drive shaft, driven connections for said reels and associated with the other element of said clutch, a member slidably mounted for reciprocation and arranged on movement in opposite directions to effect engagement and disengagement of said clutch, means on the screen arranged at intervals to engage and slide said member to effect disengagement of said clutch, and means independent of the screen for effecting movement of said slide to cause engagement of the clutch.

'7. In an automatic display apparatus, a pair of reels, a screen arranged to be wound from on one of said reels to the other, a continuously driven shaft, a clutch having one element associated with the drive shaft, driven connections for said reels and associated with the other element of said clutch, a slide member arranged to effect engagement and disengagement of the clutch and comprising relatively movable sections movable unitarily to effect one operation of the clutch and independently to effect the reverse action of the clutch, means on the screen for actuating said member to move as a unit, and means independent of the screen for actuating said member in moving a section relative to the other.

8. In an automatic display apparatus, a pair of reels, a screen arranged to be wound from on one of said reels to the other, a continuously driven shaft, a clutch having one element associated with the drive shaft, driven connections for said reels and associated with the other elements of said clutch, a slide member arranged to effect engagement and disengagement of the clutch and comprising relatively movable sections movable unitarily to effect the disengagement of the clutch and independently to effect engagement of the clutch, means on the screen for actuating said member to move as a unit, and power operated means independent of the screen for actuating said member in moving a section relative to the other.

9. In an automatic display apparatus, a pair of reels, a screen arranged to be wound from on one of said reels, to the other, a drive shaft, a clutch having one element associated with said shaft, driven connections for said reels and associated with the other element of said clutch, a slide member to effect engagement and disengagement of the clutch comprising relatively movable sections, means on the screen for moving said member to effect disengagement of the clutch, and power driven means for moving one of said, sections relative to the other whereby engagement of the clutch may be effected independent of the operation of said first means.

10. In an automatic display apparatus, a pair of reels, a screen arranged to be wound from on one of said reels to the other, a drive shaft, a clutch having one element fixed to said shaft, driven connections for said reels fixed to the other element of said clutch, a slide member to effect engagement and disengagement of said clutch comprising relatively movable sections, means including ,a rotating cam for alternately moving said sections to relatively extended and contracted positions, means on the screen for moving said member to disengage said clutch when said sections are extended, said sections being arranged on moving to contracted position to effect engagement of said clutch independent of the operation of said screen means.

11. In an automatic display apparatus, spaced side plates, reels supported by said plates and mounted therebetween, a screen arranged to be wound from on one of said reels to the other and, pass along the spaces between the front edges of said plates, a continuously driven drive shaft mounted on the outer side of one of said plates in coplanar relation thereto, a motor for said shaft between said plates at the rear edge thereof, driven shafts positioned on said plate similar to the drive shaft with their axes intersecting and at right angles to said shaft, driving connections between the driven shafts and the reels, a clutch on said drive shaft having a fixed and loose element, a gear fixed to said loose element, clutches on said driven shafts having fixed and loose elements, gears fixed to the loose elements of the driven shaft clutches and meshing continuously with said drive clutch gear, means mounted on said plate and operated by the screen for alternately connecting the driven shaft clutches, means carried by the plate and operated by the screen to move the drive shaft clutch to inoperative position, and means driven by said drive shaft for periodically actuating said last means to effect operation of said clutch independent of the screen.

STEPHEN SAMARAS. LOUIS RAVIZZA.

Ill'll 

